Abstract: In an image processing method and apparatus, image data having multi-value levels for one pixel is input, and the input image data is quantized such that an output area of one pixel is adapted to an output device in which an output area of one pixel changes depending on the position of the pixel. A quantizing process executes an arithmetic operation based on an algorithm of a neural network on the basis of a value obtained by multiplying an output value by a weight corresponding to an area of each pixel. Therefore, even if pixels have different maximum luminances, the different numbers of bits, and different color expression capabilities, an optimum half-tone process can be performed by an algorithm based on a cellular neural network, and a high-quality image can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a formed article made of a biodegradable resin material which maintains strength sufficient for practical use and, when discarded after use, succumbs to decomposition by the action of microorganisms occurring in the physical world without bringing destruction on the physical environment or inducing public nuisance in consequence of the decomposition. The formed article is formed of a multicomponent polymer material comprising a continuous phase and a disperse phase; the continuous phase is made of a polybutylene succinate type and/or polyethylene adipate type aliphatic polyester and the disperse phase is made of polylactic acid. The continuous phase may comprise the aliphatic polyester containing such an inorganic filler as talc or calcium carbonate. The formed article of biodegradable resin constructed as described above may be manufactured in arbitrarily selected shapes and used for products in various fields, particularly for slide fasteners and separable fasteners.

Abstract: Taking into consideration the disadvantage that a large-scale analog neural network cannot be constructed as an LSI and, even if this were possible, the cost would be prohibitive and the network would lack universality, a digital image processor for processing input image data based upon a cellular neural network is provided with a first multiply-and-accumulate arithmetic unit for digitally processing multiplication and accumulation of input image data of a plurality of pixels and input weighting values in a predetermined area, a second multiply-and-accumulate arithmetic unit for digitally processing multiplication and accumulation of output image data of a plurality of pixels and output weighting values in a predetermined area, and a non-linear acting unit for deciding output image data in accordance with results of calculation from the first and second multiply-and-accumulate arithmetic unit and non-linear characteristic parameters.

Abstract: A transparent optical material containing at least one selenium atom, a plastic lens comprising the transparent optical material, and methods for preparing them. In addition, there are also disclosed novel selenium-containing compounds represented by the following formulae (1), (2) and (4) which are useful for the transparent optical material and the plastic lens: ##STR1## wherein symbols are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A stock liquor pressure pulsation absorbing apparatus of an active type is able to absorb pressure pulsations in an ordinarily demanded frequency range of 0.01 to 100 Hz. A by-pass pipe (2) extracts a portion of a stock liquor from a master pipe (1) for supplying the stock liquor to a paper machine headbox. A control pump (7) returns a portion of the stock liquor so extracted into the by-pass pipe. A detector (3) detects a stock liquor pulsation pressure at a branch point, or on an upstream side thereof, of the by-pass pipe and master pipe for controlling the control pump. The pressure pulsation, including the low frequency range, of the stock liquor is thereby absorbed accurately and precisely, variations in the basis weight are made small and a stable supply of final products with a high quality can be attained.

Abstract: A ferrule used for an optical fiber connector and a method for efficient production thereof are disclosed. The ferrule comprises a through-hole formed linearly along the axial line thereof and having a part of a small diameter for the insertion of an optical fiber, a part of a large diameter for the insertion of a sheathed optical fiber, and a diametrically tapered part intervening between the small diameter part and the large diameter part and diverging from the small diameter part to the large diameter part. The through-hole has a length of not less than 1 mm for the small diameter part and a length of less than 6 mm for the total of the small diameter part and the diametrically tapered part.

Abstract: A composition for polysulfide-based resin comprising a polythiol having 4 or more functional groups and a compound having a reactive unsaturated bond(s) and/or b epoxy group(s) and/or c iso(thio)cyanato group(s) in one molecule (however, a+b+c.gtoreq.2, and a and b are not simultaneously 0). A polysulfide-based resin obtained by curing the composition, an optical material comprising the resin, a lens consisting of the optical material and a method for producing the polysulfide-based resin are also set forth.

Abstract: A ferrule used for an optical fiber connector and a method for efficient production thereof are disclosed. The ferrule comprises a through-hole formed linearly along the axial line thereof and having a part of a small diameter for the insertion of an optical fiber, a part of a large diameter for the insertion of a sheathed optical fiber, and a diametrically tapered part intervening between the small diameter part and the large diameter part and diverging from the small diameter part to the large diameter part. The through-hole has a length of not less than 1 mm for the small diameter part and a length of less than 6 mm for the total of the small diameter part and the diametrically tapered part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an electrophotographic photosensitive member with a support, a photosensitive layer with a thickness (T), a charging subunit, an exposure subunit, a developing subunit, and a transfer subunit. The exposure subunit illuminates the charged photosensitive member with a light beam having a spot area (S), such that the product S.times.T is 5,000-12,000 .mu.m.sup.3.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus which forms an image by using PWM to properly reproduce tones at a low density in the image formation, and attain a high-quality image without reducing the resolution in the dot formation corresponding to a high density value. A color laser beam printer using the PWM to which the present invention is applied forms a latent image onto a photosensitive drum by the laser beam irradiated from a semiconductor laser. The waveform of a chopped wave signal used in the PWM is set to be unique with respect to each color component, and be asymmetrical to the center of each pixel represented by the image signal in synchronization with the waveform of the chopped signal. Accordingly, the interval of dots formed to correspond to each color component is relatively wide when the density value is small, while the interval is relatively narrow when the density value is large.

Abstract: A composition for a urethane-base plastic lens, comprising:(a) at least one ester compound selected from the group consisting of isocyanate compounds, isothiocyanate compounds and isocyanato-containing isothiocyanate compounds,(b) at least one active hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl compounds, mercapto compounds and mercapto-containing hydroxyl compounds,(c) a tertiary amine, and(d) a Lewis acid;a plastic lens obtained by heating and curing the composition, and a process for the production of the plastic lens. The composition has a long pot life and can produce an optically uniform plastic lens in a short time.

Abstract: An electrophotographic system is constituted by an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charger for charging the photosensitive member to a potential, and an illuminator for illuminating the charged photosensitive member with a light beam to form an electrostatic image thereon. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a potential-exposure energy characteristic providing an induction energy and a gamma valve varying depending on an electric field intensity induced by the charged potential. The electrophotographic system further includes a controller for controlling the charged potential on the photosensitive member corresponding to resolution and gradation data of an original, so as to optimally reproduce the resolution and gradation, as desired, of the original.

Abstract: A laser light radiation device has a light source for emitting laser light which is modulated according to an image signal, a collimator lens for collimating the laser light emitted from the light source, and a polygonal mirror for deflecting the laser beam emerging from the collimator lens. The device further has a diffraction grating in a laser optical path between the collimator lens and the polygonal mirror.

Abstract: In the slide member, a recessed and projected pattern is formed in a slide surface of a mother member of the slide member allowed to slide in contact with a mating member, recessed portions of the recessed and projected pattern are filled with a lubricant, and the area ratio of the recessed portions is set in a range of 30 to 70% while the depth thereof is set for 10 .mu.m or less. The slide member is able to secure the lubricating property, wear resisting property and seize-up resisting property of the slide surface thereof with the recessed and projected pattern formed therein for a long period.

Abstract: A curved panel including a panel body and a pair of reinforcing members fixed to the panel body and arranged so that a planar restorative force of the panel body is balanced by a resilient force of each of the pair of reinforcing members so as to keep the panel body at a predetermined curvature. The panel body is made of resiliently deformable material including a face portion at (a) each of a first pair of opposite sides to which a deformable bent portion is attached which allows the face portion of the panel body to be curved to the predetermined curvature and at (b) each of a second pair of opposite sides to which a reinforcing bent portion is attached which keeps the second pair of opposite sides linear. The reinforcing members have a curvature greater than the predetermined curvature and are fixed to the deformable bent portions of the panel body.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the growth promotion of animals, comprising orally administering into animals killed microbial cells of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium, and also provides a powder composition, which comprises as essential ingredients killed microbial vegetative cells of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium, together with saccharides and/or starches.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spacer for spacing two adjacent glass plates which are stood parallel to each other on a pallet. The spacer has a spacing plate part to be inserted between the two glass plates and a head part which rests on the upper edges of the two glass plates. According to the invention the spacer has a magnetic part which is formed of an easily magnetizable magnetic material and fixed to the spacing plate part. In taking away a plurality of glass plates stood in a parallel arrangement on a pallet one after another, the glass plate in the forefront is held by a plurality of suction pads mounted on a frame which is attached to a robot arm, and each of the spacers on that glass plate is removed by attracting it by an electromagnetic holder movably mounted on the frame and swinging the electromagnetic holder to separate the spacer from the glass plate held by the suction pads and then disabling the electromagnetic holder to allow the spacer to fall.

Abstract: A medical capsule having an outer cylinder and a piston movable in the outer cylinder, the piston being activated by an externally given signal so as to discharge a medicine to the outside of the capsule or to suck a humor for a sampling purpose, as well as an apparatus for activating this medical capsule. The capsule has a remote-controllable means including a normally-opened lead switch which connects a power supply to an activating means in response to an externally given magnetic signal thereby initiating activation of the medical capsule, whereby a simple medical capsule which is operative with minimized electrical power consumption without affecting the living body can be obtained. The activating apparatus has a pair of magnetic field generating units arranged side-by-side so as to generate magnetic lines of force in various directions and to form magnetic fields covering a large area, thus ensuring correct activation of the medical capsule inside the living body.